Induction-heating apparatus and improved track support therefor



Feb. 5, 1957 E. v. BROGAN INDUCTION-HEATING APPARATUS AND IMPROVED TRACKSUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 3, 1954 v INVENTOR. EMMETT BROGA/V BY PM A AT TORNEV United States Patent- INDUCTION-HEATING APPARATUS AND IMPROVEDTRACK SUPPORT THEREFOR Emmett V. Brogan, Louisville, Ky., assignor toInternational Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationNovember 3, 1954, Serial No. 466,478

7 Claims. (Cl. 219-1057) The apparatus with which the present inventionis concerned is particularly adapted for heating, by induction, steelbillets and the like preliminarily to their being worked upon by aforging apparatus. The conventional heating device for heating billetsemploys a refractory which is properly supported by a supportingstructure. The refractory is surrounded by a hollow induction coil whichis suitably connected to a source of electrical current. In conventionaldevices of this type, the refractory generally consists of a pluralityof small refractory sections which are cemented together to form acomplete whole. The refractory serves to insulate the heat from theouter induction coil, and also prevents the possibility of scalematerial falling down into the coil sections of the inductor, causingelectrical failures in the heating coil. Conventional practice has beento move the billet along a track consisting of a pair of track sectionswhich are rigidly and securely embedded within the refractory member.Such conventional track sections must be made of a particularly hardmaterial so that they can withstand the tremendous heat and pressures towhich they are subjected during the movement of the billets through therefractory member. ln order to dissipate some of the heat, the tracksections are generally made of conduit type of construction and asuitable cooling medium is transported through the track sections. inpractice, it has been found that the conventional type of coil thusdescribed is exceedingly unsatisfactory since the weight of the billetson the refractory would cause the refractory to become damaged over arelatively short period of time, consequently necessitating frequentmaintenance. Therefore, to use the refractory as a structural. supporthas been unsatisfactory, and it is a prime object of this invention toprovide improved track arrangement for an induction-heat uiiit wherebythe weight of the articles passing through the coil are supported freeof the refractory.

A still further object of the invention is to provid a conduit type oftrack arrangement for an inductionheating apparatus designed to heatbillets and the like in transit through an induction coil, the trackbeing supported on its ends and between its ends by suitable supportmeans whereby track sections are completely free and independent of therefractory about which the induction coil is normally positioned. I

' Still a further object is to provide an improved supporting means forsupporting the track sections of an induction-heating unit intermediatethe ends of the track sections, and for also providing cooling means forsaid supporting means.

These and further objects will become more. readily apparent from areading of the specification when ex mined in connection with theaccompanying sheet of drawing.

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In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an end view in elevation, with certain portions broken away,of an induction-heating apparatus particularly adapted for heatingbillets and the like which are pushed through the device;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through an inductionheating devicetaken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through an induction-heating deviceparticularly taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 and 2, an induction-heatingdevice is generally designated by the reference character 10. Theinduction-heating device it) comprises a support 11 consisting primarilyof end supports 12, the said end supports 12 being horizontally spacedand positioned in an upright manner. A plurality of horizontallyextending bars 13 and 14 are suitably connected to the end supports 12by means of fasteners 15, thus providing a rigid supporting structurefor the induction-heating device 10. A ceramic, or refractory, tube 16is supported on the support 11. The refractory tube 16 is made of asuitable ceramic material which may be cast, or formed, in one singlepiece. The tube 16, which is preferred in this construction, is ofsubstantially rectangular design and cross section, and is positioned,as best shown in Figure 3, on the support 11 with its sides extending inrelatively diverging relation with respect to the normal horizontalplane of the induction-heating device. Plates 17, having V-shapednotches 18, are connected to the end supports 12 for maintaining thetube 16 against relative horizontal movement with respect to the support11. The ends of the tube 16 are thus supported in openings 17' in theend supports 12. A hollow inductor coil is generally designated by thereference character 19. The inductor coil may be of conventionalconstruction, consisting of a plurality of coil turns 20 which are Woundaround the refractory tube 16 in a spiral manner. As shown in Figure 1,the inductor coil 19 may include leads 21 extend ing to a suitablesource of electrical energy.

The refractory tube 16 is provided with an inner wall 22. A track isgenerally designated at 23. The track 23 serves to support billets andother steel articles which are fed to the induction-heating device forheating. Such a heating operation may be desired as a preliminary stepto a forging operation, and one or more steel billets may be supportedon the track 23 and heated by induction as they travel from one end ofthe induction-heating device to the other.

The track 23 comprises a pair of laterally spaced substantially paralleltrack sections 24. The track sections 24 are of tubular, orconduit-like, construction, and may be suitably made of a materialhaving the trade-name of Stellite, or they may be made of a similar hardmaterial that will wear Well despite extreme heat and pressure which maybe exerted on the said track sections by the billets that are heated.The track sections 24 also include end portions 25 which extendoutwardly of the tubular refractory 16, the said end portions 25extending substantially parallel to the outer faces of the and supports12. The end portions 25 of each track section 24 may be suitablyconnected to a reservoir (not shown) containing a suitable source ofcooling liquid under pressure.

Spacer members 26 are provided on the outer faces of the end supports 12for suitably spacing the end portions 25. Brackets 27 removably supportthe end portions 25 on the spacers 26. Fasteners 28 are provided forsuitably connecting the brackets 27, the end portions 25, and thespacers 26 to the end supports 12.

A center support is generally designated at 29. A center support 29 ofthis type is provided for each of the track sections 24, and one ofthese supports is illustrated in detail in Figure 2. Each center support22' includes a conduit Zdl which is in communication with the tracksections 24 and connected thereto in supporting relation. Each conduitextends through an opening 31 provided in the ceramic tube 16, andthrough openings 32 provided in the horizontal supporting members 14.The horizontal supporting members, adjacent to the opening 32, are alsoprovided with an enlarged undercut portion 33. Each of the conduits 3bis also provided with a shoulder 34 which is disposed within the recessformed by the undercut 33. A connector plate 35 is provided with anopening 35 through which the conduit 30 extends and projects outwardlytherefrom. The connector plate 35 also includes a socket 36 whichsupports the shouidcr 34. Screws 37 suitably connect the connector plateto the horizontal support 14. Thus, the shoulder 34 rests upon theconnector plate 35 and is supported on the horizontal support 14;therefore, providing an intermediate support for the track sections 24which maintains them in suitably spaced relation with respect to theinner wall of the refractory tube. The end of the conduit 30 isthreaded, and a nut 39 securely tightens the shoulder 34 against theconnector plate 35. A flexible tube 40 is connected to the end of theconduit 30, the flexible tube 40 providing a suitable drain for thecooling liquid which may be transported through the track sections 24-.

Thus, it can be seen that the track sections 24 are firmly supported ontheir ends by means of the brackets 27 which engage and firmly grasp theend portions 25 of the said track sections 24. Therefore the tracksections 24 are suitably spaced from the inner wall 22 of the refractorytube. Furthermore, the center support 29 serves to insure that the saidspacing may be maintained; and despite the transportation of heavybillets through the heating unit, complete support is provided for thetrack sections so that the refractory tube will not be subjected tounusual strains which might result in premature cracking and failure.the support, is also cooled by cooling liquid that flows through thetrack sections; the said cooling liquid being directed to a suitabledrain which may be provided at the end of the flexible hose 4-0.

Thus, an improved supporting structure and track has been provided thatwill support the billets and other objects which may be subjected toheat treatment, independent of the ceramic, or refractory, tube. Hence,service failures are greatly minimized, and a simple arrangement isprovided whereby the refractory may be replaced by merely disconnectingthe center support and the brackets which support the ends of the tracksections. Fur-- thermore, adequate cooling is effected for the centersupports and the track sections. Thus the objects of the invention havebeen fully achieved, and it mus-t be understood that changes andmodifications may be made with-- out departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An induction-heating device comprising a pair of horizontally spacedupright end supports having openings in substantially horizontalalignment, horizontally extending support members connected at oppositeends to the upright members, a one-piece ceramic tubular insulatingmember having an elongated opening in registry with the openings ofsaid, end supports, said insulating member extending horizontallybetween said end supports and being supported thereon, a hollowinduction coil extending spirally about said tubular member, said coilbeing adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy, a track forsupporting an object to be heated while it being transported throughsaid tubular insulating member, said track comprising a pair of spacedhollow tracl; members, said track members being relatively laterallyspaced and horizontally extending coextensive with the length of saidLikewise, the conduit 38, which forms 4 tubular insulating member, eachof said track members having hollow end portions disposed outwardly ofthe tubular insulating member and extending substantially parallel tothe outer sides of said end supports, brackets connecting said endportions to said end supports to support said track members in spacedrelation relative to the inner wall of said insulating member, a centersupport for each track member, each of said horizontal support membershaving substantially vertically disposed openings adjacent said centersupport, each center support comprising a conduit in communication withone of said track members and supported in one of said openings, atshoulder on said conduit, a connector member engaging said shoulder, andmeans remova-bly connecting said connector member to said horizontalsupport member, said conduits being adapted to convey cooling liquid insaid track members and to support the track members at a positionbetween said end supports.

2. An induction-heating device comprising a pair of. horizontally spacedupright end supports, horizontally extending support members connectedat opposite ends to the upright members, a ceramic tubular insulatingmember having an inner cylindrical wall, said insulating memberextending horizontally between said end supports and being supportedthereon, a hollow induction coil extending spirally about said tubularmember, said coil being adapted to connect to a source of electricalenergy, a track for supporting an object to be heated while it is beingtransported through said tubular insulating member, said trackcomprising a pair of hollow track members, said track members beingrelatively laterally spaced and horizontally extending coextensive withthe length of said tubular insulating member, each of said track membershaving hollow end portions disposed outwardly of the tubular insulatingmember and extending substantially parallel to the outer sides of saidend supports, brackets connecting said end portions to said end supportsto support said track members in spaced relation relative to the innerwall of said insulating member, a center support for each track member,each of said horizontal support members having substantially verticallydisposed openings adjacent said center support, each center supportcomprising a conduit in communication with one of said track members andsupported in said opening, a shoulder on said conduit, a connectormember engaging said shoulder, and means removably connecting saidconnector member to said horizontal support member, said conduits beingadapted to convey cooling liquid in said track members and to supportthe track members at a position between said end supports.

3. An induction-heating device comprising a pair of horizontally spacedupright end supports, horizontally extending support members connectedat opposite ends to the upright members, a tubular insulating memberhaving an inner cylindrical wall, said insulating member extendinghorizontally between said end supports and being supported thereon, ahollow induction coil extend ing about said tubular member, said coilbeing adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy, a track forsupporting an object to be heated while it is being transported throughsaid tubular insulating member, said track comprising a pair of hollowtrack members, each of said track members having hollow end portionsdisposed outwardly of the tubular insulating member, brackets connectingsaid end portions to said end supports to support said track members inspaced relation relative to the inner wall of said insulating member, acenter support for each track member, each center support comprising aconduit in communication with one of said track members, and meansremovably connecting said center supports to said horizontal supportmembers, said conduits being adapted to convey cooling liquid in saidtrack members and to support the track members at a position betweensaid end supports.

4. An induction-heating device comprising a pair of horizontally spacedupright end supports, horizontally extending support members connectedat opposite ends to the upright members, a tubular insulating memberhaving an inner cylindrical wall supported on said supports, aninduction coil extending about said tubular member, a track forsupporting an object to be heated while it is being transported throughsaid tubular insulating member, said track comprising a pair of hollowtrack members, each of said track members having hollow end portionsdisposed outwardly of the tubular insulating member, brackets connectingsaid end portions to said end supports to support said track members inspaced relation relative to the inner wall of said insulating member, acenter support for each track member, each center support comprising aconduit in communication with one of said track members, and meansremovably connecting said conduits to said horizontal support members,said conduits being adapted to convey cooling liquid in said trackmembers and to support the track members free of the cylindrical wall.

5. An induction-heating device comprising a supporting structure, aone-piece ceramic tubular insulating member carried on said structure, ahollow induction coil encircling said insulating member, a track forsupporting an object to be heated while it is being transported throughsaid tubular insulating member, said track com prising a spaced hollowtrack member, said track member having hollow end portions, bracketsconnecting said end portions to said structure to support said trackmembers in spaced relation relative to the inner wall of said insulatingmember, a track support positioned between the ends of the hollow endportions, said support including at least one conduit extendinglaterally into said tubular member and communicating with one of saidhollow track members, and means removably connecting said conduitrelative to said supporting structure, said conduit being adapted toconvey cooling liquid in said track member and to support the trackmember free of the cylindrical wall.

6. An induction-heating device comprising a supporting structure, atubular electrical insulator extending horizontally and carried on saidstructure, an induction coil disposed about said insulator, a trackextending horizontally coextensive with the inner wall of said insulatorfor supporting objects in transit to be heated by the coil, said trackincluding a pair of relatively laterally spaced tubular track sections,means connecting opposite end portions of said track sections to saidsupporting structure to space said sections relative to the inner wallof said insulator, a track support for supporting each track sectionwithin said insulator at a point between its opposite ends, each tracksupport including a conduit extending laterally into said insulator,said conduit being in communication with one of said track sections, andmeans connecting said conduits to said supporting structure whereby saidconduits support said track sections free of said insulator and saidconduits are adapted to conduct cooling liquid transported within saidtrack sections.

7. An induction-heating device comprising a supporting structure, atubular electrical insulator extending horizontally and being carried onsaid supporting structure, an induction coil disposed about saidinsulator, a track extending horizontally coextensive with the innerwall of said insulator for supporting objects in transit to be heated bythe coil, said track including a pair of tubular track sections, firstmeans connecting portions of said track sections to said supportingstructure to space said sections relative to the inner wall of saidinsulator, second means within said insulator for supporting each tracksection between its opposite ends, said second means including conduitsextending laterally through said insulator wall and being incommunication with said track sections, and means connecting saidconduits to said supporting structure whereby said conduits support saidtrack sections and said conduits are adapted to conduct cooling liquidtransported Within said track sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,490,106 Strickland Dec. 6, 1949 2,563,883 Strickland Aug. 14, 19512,572,073 Strickland et a1. Oct. 23, 1951 2,665,368 Cutlifi et al Jan.5, 1954

